Melba Arlene Carlson
November 23, 1932 ~ August 28, 2025
Melba “Arlene” Carlson peacefully reunited with her beloved husband, Cdr. Ronald F. Carlson, USN Ret., on his eternal adventure, August 28, 2025. Arlene was the loving mother of Ronda Boyce, Jean Fail (Peter), Cathy Gaffney (Jerry), and Neal Carlson; Grandmother of Caitlin Boyce, Lauren Phipps (Ian), Conor Boyce, Christian Boyce, Nicholas Fail, and Allison Fail; Great grandmother of Grayson Boyce and Josephine Phipps.
Arlene, the daughter of Nellie Lee Halligan and Clarence Edward Potter, was born November 23, 1932, in Bird City, KS. Her siblings, Elaine, Irene, Bing, and Jimmy, all preceded her in death, but provided her with many nieces and nephews.
When her family moved to Milton-Freewater, Oregon, Arlene met her future husband and shortly after they wed in Gretna Green, NV on January 17, 1953.
As the devoted wife of a military man, Arlene was the heart of her family, building a life of love and resilience across the many places they called home—California, Texas, Rhode Island, Ohio, Hawaii, Guam, and Maryland.
While living in Guam, Arlene became a dedicated Red Cross volunteer, offering care to wounded servicemen returning from Vietnam. Known for an open heart and open home, she never met a stranger and always welcomed others around her dining room table.
After returning stateside, Arlene worked as a permanent substitute teacher at Great Mills and Leonardtown High School from 1971 to 2020. When she wasn’t indulging in her favorite sport, shopping, Arlene shared her talents by catering luncheons at Sotterley Plantation and took great pride in her fundraising efforts and support for the Shriners Hospital for Children. She also served proudly as the First Lady to the Potentate of the Boumi Shriners of Baltimore and remained active until shortly before her death.
Arlene and Ron loved to travel together, and, upon retirement, they spent time visiting friends and family across the US and around the world.
The family wishes to invite friends to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 pm at her home in Lexington Park, MD to share memories of Arlene.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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To the Carlson Family, We are sorry for your loss, hugs n prayers to the Family and friends. Had her many times at GMHS substitute. Even kicked out of class. Lol Rip Mrs Carlson
I am a teacher at Leonardtown High School and, for the better part of two decades, Arlene was an integral part of our school community. She touched the lives of so many, students and staff, checking on and supporting her people even on her days off. Her love and support became a permanent fixture of this building, a part of this school, and continues to echo in the hallways – in the laughter and smiles of children, and in the tireless work of teachers and staff. She is, and will be, missed and remembered.